There
is time when utter determination matters.
Some of
the greatest inventions and things we use on an everyday basis were made by
people that ended up broke and unnoticed.
Charles
Goodyear started the tire and spent his life broke.
He died
40 years before Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was founded.
He
spent his entire life working on a product that left him broke but he believed he
could do.
He
eventually did, but it was after his death that it took off.
I am
glad he stuck through it because I like tires and I couldn’t imagine driving on
anything else (Until the future looks like it does in Back to the Future 2).
There
is something about a determination that people can’t stop.
I ran a
marathon in 2000.
I am
not saying this to gloat but to tell you what happened before.
Usually
you are supposed to take it easy in running before a marathon.
I had
one of my biggest cross country meets of the year the day before.
After
running that race I was talking to a family member and told them I had to get
ready to go to Detroit for the marathon.
This
person told me, “Joel, I don’t understand why you are doing it, you’re never
going to make it.”
“Thanks,”
I said while laughing.
Four
hours and nineteen minutes the next day I finished the marathon.
Sometimes
people do not know or understand determination.
Sports
scientist looked at what it takes to hit a major league pitcher and came to the
conclusion the ball came way to fast and in many different directions. With human brain signals, there is no
physical way the body should relay signals to be able to hit a baseball with
the bat.
Crazy
how that was said and it doesn’t happen that way.
Faith
is the same way.
People
have doubt for 2,000 years Christianity wouldn’t make it.
Apostles
were just jailed for sharing Jesus.
The
Sanhedrin wanted them dead before one named Gamaliel spoke up.
He said
this in Acts 36, 38-39…
“Some
time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men
rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all
came to nothing…Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men
alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it
will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be
able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
They decided not to kill the apostles (They were still
flogged).
Even through the pain of being flogged the apostles
continued to sharing Jesus and rejoiced that they could suffer for a cause they
believed in.
Do you suffer for a cause you believe in?
The apostles never stopped.
They kept preaching the good news of Jesus.
Determination, the apostles had it.
Do we have the same.
There are things I am determined to do in life.
Being a better husband and father.
Serve God to the best of my abilities.
Improve showing love and grace to all people.
What are you determined to do?
What has slowed you down from doing that?
Goodyear didn’t give up and 40 years after he died, he
succeed.
What do you want to succeed in today?
What are you doing to go for what you want?
The apostles wanted to share Jesus and not even flogging
could stop them.
What has stopped you?
What can you do to stay determined?
Have a great day.
